Healthy Handshakes: Keeping the cold to yourself

Q: I had a terrible cold the other day at work. Just as I was blowing my nose at my desk, my manager walked up to introduce someone, and he immediately reached out to shake hands. What should I have done? I felt terrible having to shake his hand, but I can’t go to the bathroom every time I have to blow my nose.

A: It’s perfectly acceptable to smile, look the person it the eye, and say: “Mr. Jones, it’s a pleasure to meet you. Please excuse me for not shaking hands, but I have a bad cold, and I don’t want to give it to you.”